http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4073253

John Madden, a fixture in NFL broadcast booths for 30 years, has decided to retire, he announced Thursday in a statement released by NBC Sports.

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This can't be too much of a surprise since Madden took a game off last year. He also did not do the broadcasting in the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Madden 09.

But he has been the face of EA's football game forever and been synonymous with American Football for three decades. (For example, there were plans for an Atari 2600 game with his name before the crash in 1983).

My guess is that the franchise will just be NFL Football 1x after this year. And in tribute Madden might be prominent on the cover for the first time since 2000.

Mike from Morgantown

I think it will always be called Madden. The brand name is too strong to drop.

I agree with ya, Mike. There's really only one real choice for licensed NFL Football. Whatever EA is releasing. I'd have dropped the Madden name a couple of years ago, and established a new brand by now. But, out of respect for John Madden, I hope he does get to be on the cover. I just hope he doesn't fall victim to the Madden Curse!!

 This, not always, but for at least 3 or 4 years.

Damn, yo... Had no idea Madden retired.

I don't think this will effect the game at all.

WOW... that's a big thing... they might keep it as Madden for 1 or 2 more years... that's it.

Heh at least I finally know why those american football games are called like that :D

It'll stay Madden until there's a NFL figure prominant enough to be the next 'Madden'

if you guys hadnt noticed they have slowly been phasing madden out the game anyway

Yeah Madden will still be Madden forever as far as i see it